John - Week 42

God's Glory 

READ 

John 13:31-32 

31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once.” 

Jesus lets His close friends know that He is about at the end of His earthly life. Then He gives insight into the Godhead. The Father receives glory because of the Son and the Son gives the Father glory. Not mentioned in this passage is the Holy Spirit. The next chapter will reveal the Spirit’s desire to focus attention on the Son. Although the persons of the Trinity are equal there is an order even as there is for a married couple (see 1 Corinthians 11:3). Just as the purpose of the three persons of the Trinity is to glorify each other, so every believer’s desire should be to glorify God. 

REFLECT 

As you think about your actions this past week, did you bring glory to your Savior or to yourself? Inasmuch as Christ is in you, according to Colossians 1:27, did others see only you or Him? 

RESPOND 

Is it your desire to bring glory to God? See Philippians 1:10-12 that expresses how to do this. What evidence of your salvation have you shown others this past week? 

A New Commandment 

READ 

John 13:33-35 

33 “Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

This is the only time recorded in John’s Gospel that Jesus used this affectionate term in referring to the eleven disciples. Literally, He is calling these seasoned hard-working men “Little children,” an endearing term for these grown men. After His death, Jesus would be parted from them for a time, but eventually they would come to Him in eternity. The Old Testament told of loving others, but never had it been compared to loving the way Jesus loves. This must have been a serious and new comparison to the disciples.  

REFLECTION 

Have you thought about not just loving your neighbor, but loving as Jesus has loved us? Do you forgive the shortcomings of others as Jesus has forgiven you? 

RESPOND 

Read Ephesians 4:30-32 and see if you are living in this way. Are you teaching others to live this way? Do not teach others to live this way if you are not living like this.

Before the Rooster Crows 

READ 

John 13:36-38 

36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” 37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 

Peter was often quick to speak but usually he said what was on the mind of the other disciples (see Matthew 26:35; Mark 14:31). Jesus didn’t tell him where He was going; only that he could not come with Him now but later. This did not satisfy Peter. His declaration that he was willing to die with Jesus was answered with a rebuke that he would deny Jesus before the night was over. Peter likely thought there was no possibility of that.  

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes made claims of what you would do for Jesus that you were not able to do?  

RESPOND 

Have you dealt with someone who is laboring under guilt for not doing something for Jesus that was not able to be accomplished? If so, you need to assure them that Jesus forgives those who confess their sins to Him. Lead them to 1 John 1:8-10. Read it with them and assure them that no one is perfect so even those who have trusted in Jesus for salvation need to come to Him for forgiveness that He freely offers to all who confess.  

In My Father's House 

READ 

John 14:1-4 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 

This is a passage that has been of much comfort to believers. Some at the time of the death of a loved one have taken encouragement from it by realizing the loved one has gone to the place Jesus has prepared. And those not taken in death yet have the promise that someday Jesus will come back to get them and that they will always be with Jesus. The last statement Jesus made in this passage caused more questions. 

REFLECTION 

No matter your age, are you ready to meet Jesus if you are suddenly snapped from this life? If not, this passage does not apply to you. If you are at peace about being ready to meet Jesus, you will be able to help others prepare for eternity. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 that tells about believers being caught up to meet Jesus in the air. What about the last verse. Is this passage comforting for you or not? If not, you need to be sure your faith is in Jesus alone for your salvation. 

I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life 

READ 

John 14:5-7 

5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” 

When Jesus said He was the way, the above response came from Thomas. This brought out one of the clearest verses in the Bible that indicates Jesus is the only way of salvation. When Adam’s sin poisoned the stream of mankind the way to God was lost; Jesus provides the way back. Adam and Eve had believed a lie; Jesus is the truth. As a result of their sin, Adam and Eve were no longer spiritually alive; Jesus provides eternal life to all who believe. 

REFLECT 

When you are asked if a follower of a different faith is separated from God forever, you could say, “If a Baptist doesn’t believe in Jesus he will not be saved. The same is true for a Methodist or Lutheran. So whatever group you can think of, there is no salvation apart from believing in Jesus as Savior.” 

RESPOND 

Memorize or at least know verses so you can answer others who question the way of salvation. You could use the following verses in this order: John 14:6; Acts 4:12; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9. Look them up and be so familiar with them they can be easily expressed by you.